12-2824. Employment classification and regulation. The board shall classify all the offices, positions and grades of regular employment required, excepting that of the chairman of the board, the general manager, secretary, treasurer, general attorney, and chief engineer, with reference to the duties thereof and the compensation fixed therefor, and adopt rules governing appointments to any of such offices or positions on the basis of merit and efficiency. No discrimination shall be made in any appointment or promotion because of race, creed, color or political or religious affiliations. No officer or employee shall be discharged or demoted except for cause which is detrimental to the service. Any officer or employee who is discharged or demoted may file a complaint in writing with the board within ten days after notice of his or her discharge or demotion. If an employee is a member of a labor organization the complaint may be filed by such organization for and in behalf of such employee. The board shall grant a hearing on such complaint within thirty (30) days after it is filed. The time and place of the hearing shall be fixed by the board and due notice thereof given to the complainant, the labor organization by or through which the complaint was filed and the general manager. The hearing shall be conducted by the board, or any member thereof or any officers' committee or employees' committee appointed by the board. The complainant may be represented by counsel.

If the board finds, or approves a finding of the member or committee appointed by the board, that the complainant has been unjustly discharged or demoted, the complainant shall be restored to his or her office or position with back pay. The decision of the board shall be final and not subject to review. The board may abolish any office or reduce the force of employees for lack of work or lack of funds, but in so doing the officer or employee with the shortest service record in the class and grade to which he or she belongs shall be first released from service and shall be reinstated in order of seniority when additional force of employees is required. Seniority shall be considered a working condition and where employees are represented by a labor organization which has any labor agreement with the authority such working conditions shall be governed by the terms of such agreement.

History: L. 1955, ch. 118, § 24; April 13.